Equipment Review and Discussion :: HELP!!! My Rena XP4 filter stopped working

[sharkgirl9]

So we are trying to upgrade to a 90 gallon tank. Previously we had a 40 gallon with a Rena XP4 (bought knowing that we would be upgrading the tank size soon). Other than the turtle rearranging the tank in a manor that would stop the flow of the filter (or just sticking a foot over the suction hole) the filter worked wonderfully.
Now that we have the 90 gallon ready to use, the filter has stopped working properly. When I lower the quick release valve water is drawn out of the tank, into the filter until full but does not have the power to fill the inlet hose. The water stops filling up the hose at the height of the water level of the tank. No matter what I do the siphon action just stops and the filter will not function. I'm sure we are doing something wrong, I just don't know what. Please help. I've included pictures. (Please note I know there are still issues with the basking area [or lack there of] and light positioning - they are being fixed as I type this.)
The tank stand is 30" high. The water level is 28" from the top of the filter. There are no kinks or bends in the filter hoses. If you need further clarification just let me know.
The 40 gallon tank was on top of a dresser that was 4' high, the water had to to travel a further height at that time & did so with no issue.






Thank you so much for any assistance that you can give!

[mikee]

S-girl-9 It looks like you do not have enough water in the tank and the filter is not large enough. Remember you need a 5x water flow to get the filter action you need.

[worldpeace]

I realize that this is not relevant to your question but do you have a basking area for your turtle?

[TheComputerGremlin]

Okay, so you need to do some trouble-shooting, and report back your findings.

Question, how old is your Rena XP4?

First, remove all of the baskets from the inside of the filter and try running it totally empty. If that works, something is clogging in your baskets. Remove and replace ALL things, the pads, the carbon, any stars, etc. That should fix that problem.

Okay, if that doesn't work, carefully inspect the motor (the top of the filter). Are there any blockages? If you turn it on without water running to it, does it have any suction?

Those are the two likely suspects. Many people don't realize there is a schedule for replacing the internal bits to the filter. The pads should be replaced yearly, I believe, unless they appear damaged or clogged, then more frequently. The carbon should be replaced every 6-12 weeks. Half of the bio stars should be replaced every 6 months (which begs the question how to tell which ones were replaced last ...) or you could just replace them all and hope you don't get cloudy water. The white filter pad should be replaced a lot more often, maybe every 3 months, if not sooner.

Motors can go bad, and if you recently purchased the filter, I would contact who you bought it from to see if it's still under warranty.

I had a concern about your post as well, the "black" thing over the filter intake. What is it? Where is the original filter cone that has the slits in it? My turtle has not been able to get close to getting herself stuck with the suction with it on, so I wonder if you didn't have that piece on, or what the pieces is over it now. You need to make sure the water has a very easy path for flowing, and anything blocking that path can cause a serious decrease in your filter's ability.

Your filter is obviously not working considering how cloudy/dirty your water appears ...

[sharkgirl9]

Mikee, thank you we'll try more water & let you know how it works out.

Worldpeace - yes we have a basking area, it just wasn't in the tank at the time of the pictures (it was being added as I typed my plea for help). Thanks for looking out though.

[str1p]

try checking the impeller, xp4s sometimes have a problem where the impeller will spin to fast and the magnet holding it lets it slip and can wear down the impeller. ive seen many topics about this on some other fish keeping forums.

[Seroster]

I can't be sure, but it seems like when I was reading up on XP filters there was some bit about the water needing to be at least 8 in. from the top of the tank, from your pics it looks like there's significantly more than that distance. That may be causing it to not have enough water pressure on the intake and whatnot.